Research projects 2025-2029
Oral health at the patients on antiresorptive therapy
Biomedicine and Health Sciences/uniri projects for materially demanding research
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is a serious, undesirable reaction to treatment with antiresorptive drugs, characterized by progressive destruction and necrosis of the bone in the upper and/or lower jaw. A higher incidence is observed in cancer patients, particularly those with progressive malignant disease undergoing intravenous treatment, and the exact pathogenesis of MRONJ is not yet fully understood.
The study will be conducted as a prospective, longitudinal, and observational study. Patients receiving bisphosphonate therapy will be followed for two years. The goal of the research is to analyze the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TGF-β and MIP-1α) and growth factors (VEGF, EGF-β) in the saliva of patients on bisphosphonate therapy, and to compare these values with those of patients who have developed MRONJ, in order to determine their association with the development of MRONJ and clinical parameters (Ca, vitamin D, SII, SIRI).
Additionally, the condition of the oral cavity will be assessed through clinical examination and radiological diagnostics, and the effect of oncological therapy on periodontal tissue health and quality of life related to oral health will be evaluated. This study may help identify potential biomarkers for assessing the risk of MRONJ development, monitoring its progression, evaluating the effectiveness of various treatment methods, and ultimately improving the quality of life.
Research Team
Project Leader/Principal Investigator
prof.dr.sc. Vlatka Debeljak dr.med.dent.
ASSOCIATES
Ana Zulijani
izv.prof. dr.sc. Ivana Mikolašević dr.med.
prof.prim.dr.sc. Daniela Kovačević Pavičić dr.med.dent.
Izv. prof. dr. sc. Davor Kuiš dr. med. dent.
Aleksandar Pupovac dr.med.dent.
Doc. dr. sc. Višnja Katić dr. med. dent., specijalist ortodoncije
Prof.dr.sc. Margita Belušić dr.med.
dr.sc. Ema Saltović, dr.med.dent.
Ella Sever, dr.med.dent.
Alojzije Košić, dr.med.
Doc.dr.sc.Ivan Salarić
izv.prof.dr.sc.Marko Granić
Izv.prof.dr.sc. Jelena Prpić dr.med.dent.